# NTSB LAX96LA006: Cessna 172N, N260ER, Tucson, AZ, October 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 9, 1995, 14:17 local (21:17 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.149154, -110.929092 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1492&lon=-110.9291&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29305 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29305/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA006 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing tailwind conditions, improper flare, and failure to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The pilot landed with a 9-knot tailwind. The aircraft touched down hard and bounced left. The pilot lost directional control, entered a sod area adjacent to the runway, then collided with airport directional signs. ## Factual narrative On October 9, 1995, at 1417 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N260ER, collided with ground airport signs following a loss of directional control while landing at the Tucson, Arizona, International Airport. The aircraft was owned Embry Riddle Aeronautical University of Daytona Beach, Florida, and operated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at Prescott, Arizona, and was on a solo cross-country instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at Prescott at 1230 on the day of the accident, as a closed circuit cross-country flight to Tucson and return. According to information from the Air Traffic Control Tower, the aircraft landed on runway 11R hard, bounced left, and entered a sod area adjacent to the runway. The airplane then collided with airport runway/taxiway directional signs and came to rest facing northeast. The 1428 special observation reported winds from 300 at 9 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident. He stated "while on final, they changed me to 11R, ATIS was reporting winds from 103 at 9 knots." He further stated that while flaring he "drifted a bit off centerline" and the airplane suddenly turned left, exited the runway, and collided with a runway marker sign. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N260ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N260ER-2001-07-09), registration cancelled 2001-07-09, S/N 17270223 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270223 - Airframe hours: 9440 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4N 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Embry Riddle Aero University - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, October 5, 1995, 11 hours before - Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ - Destination: TUS - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: TUS, Tucson International, runway 11R, 10,994 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 66 total, 65 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 9 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TUS ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19951009031269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951009031269A), Oct 9, 1995: Cessna 172N, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Landed hard downwind. Lost control exited runway and struck runway marker sign. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.